Overview Events, Instruction, and Outreach |
---|
We are excited to have you come into our spaces to learn or continue to develop new skills, building your resume, and/or enriching your college experiences. The Spark has resources that are circulating (can leave space) and some that are only available for in space use. The Spark Makerspace offers access to a variety of tools and machines that can have inherent risks. In order to allow individual's access to use the resources, training is required.
It is important to understand the makerspace is not a production facility but an educational lab. Our mission is to teach you the skills/equipment to bring your project and/or ideas to life. The team does not do the work, they train individuals to use the resources they need or want to learn. Therefore training on equipment is often the first step in using the makerspace resources available at the Spark. Departments, Classes, Organizations, or Small groups please refer to our group request information.
The first step is making sure you are trained and authorized to use the equipment desired. Most circulating items simply require a basic liability contract. However, the Camera equipment does require a basic safe handling training. Training schedules will be posted on the Spark Calendar by Spark location, however individual appointments will also be available starting Spring 2024 through a link that will be on the Spark Calendar page as well.
If you are already trained (by the SPARK) you can skip to Machine Operator Appointment. However, if you schedule an MOA without training, you will have to reschedule and complete the appropriate training.
PLEASE NOTE: The Spark offers assistance with learning how to use our resources but we are not authorized as a production facility (we do not work on your materials/project directly or take orders to make things for you). Nor are we able to develop code or projects for individuals. We are here to help you learn how to use our resources to achieve your project goals.
If you are unsure what you would like to use and would like to talk to a Maker about what we have or any project ideas you have, send us an email to thespark@unt.edu. Otherwise, select the training appropriate for your needs.
Upcoming Events |
---|
The Spark will be offering a number of Crafting Hours at each of our locations. WE will have an increased number of Crafting Hours throughout the month of March in honor of National Crafting month. Come out and get creative with the Spark:
Location | Date | Event |
---|---|---|
Frisco Landing room 150 | 2/27/2024 @ 3:00PM-5:00PM |
Get Hooked! on Crochet with a beginner lesson on the techniques and skills to make your Yarnest dreams come true! |
Discovery Park M152A Library Spark Makerspace | 3/4/2024 @ 5:00PM-7:00PM |
Cross-Stitching is a form of embroidery that uses tiny X shaped stitching to form a pattern into a beautiful design. This type of embroidery work is one of the most popular and relaxing arts that start with just a needle, thread, and your creativity! In this workshop, you'll learn how to read a pattern and use the unique stitching pattern to create a design, while being able to wind down from a stressful day. |
Willis Library 150 Spark Instruction Lab | 3/4/2024 @ 6:00PM-8:00PM |
We invite you to celebrate National Craft Month with us! Join us in making some friendship bracelets at the Spark Makerspace. We’ll use embroidery thread and knots to create fun bracelets to share with your friends. Pick between a few designs and lots of different color combinations. Sign up to learn and grow your creative skills! |
Willis Library 150 Spark Instruction Lab | 3/6/2024 @ 2:30PM-4:30PM |
Cross-Stitching is a form of embroidery that uses tiny X shaped stitching to form a pattern into a beautiful design. This type of embroidery work is one of the most popular and relaxing arts that start with just a needle, thread, and your creativity! In this workshop, you'll learn how to read a pattern and use the unique stitching pattern to create a design, while being able to wind down from a stressful day. |
Frisco Landing 150 Spark Makerspace | 3/7/2024 @ 11:00AM-1:00PM |
Clay down your mid semester worries and make mini figs of yourself or animals. |
Willis Library 150 Spark Instruction Lab | 3/8/2024 @ 2:00PM-4:00PM |
The maker will walk attendees through basic braid patterns, so they may complete a braid project. This session is come and go, and the maker will be available to teach various braids through out the time, while cord supplies last. |
Instruction |
---|
Instruction and knowledge sharing is the core of our makerspace mission. It is critical to understand that inherent in the use of many resources from the makerspace is a degree of risk, therefore safety is a top priority. Instruction comes in many forms and typically we define the sessions as:
Almost all of the in space and interchangeable lens cameras require training before they can be used. Trainings do require official documentation and generally takes 48-72 hours, after training to be updated in the system. Once training is documented in the system, individuals can then look to schedule equipment for personal use. So plan ahead and make sure to complete training earlier in the semester.
In an effort to assist you in preparing for the best use of the equipment, here is a quick guide on how you can get started with tips along the way to help your experience be the best:
So you found the makerspace and now you want to get started learning how to use the equipment! Excellent, the first step is scheduling your training.
Step 1) Schedule Training
Reminders for when you are ready to attend trainings or workshops:
Step 2) Attend Training
NOTE: it takes 48-72 hours to process training forms in to the system. You will receive a training receipt via email which you can upload through the booking form, to help minimize any delays in being able to book the equipment during this processing window.
You have completed training, yeah! Now you have a project you want to complete. For self service 3D printing, Cricut, and the standard circulating items, they are on a first come first service basis. For our cameras and projectors they are a booking request form. For our other in space equipment such as One button studio, CNC, vacuum forming machine, and embroidery machine a Monitored Operator Appointment (MOA) is required. For the laser cutters (all locations) and all Frisco Landing in space equipment individuals must book the equipment and the MOA.
Equipment Booking: Discovery Park | Frisco Landing | Willis Library
MOA Booking: Discovery Park | Frisco Landing | Willis Library
§Polycarbonate sheet plastics, which are frequently confused with acrylics
§ particle board
§ MDF
§ HDF
§ OSB
§ wood that is dirty
§ most reclaimed wood
§ most pine plywood
§ most underlayment plywood
Group Request Information |
---|
Our goal is to work with classes and groups to schedule events, workshops, and trainings to support the needs of your group. We strive to be able to coordinate trainings in a timely manner. Due to the many variables that may be part of a group/class/department request we require a minimum of a two week request to be able to review and determine our ability to accommodate the group's needs.
To complete the form below we request you to include as much detail as possible but at a minimum we will need to know:
TO submit a request for a group, class, department or organization event please use the button below:
Outreach |
---|
At the Spark we believe in experiential learning process and strive to provide safe, engaging and inspiring opportunities to learn. Our outreach initiatives are designed to engage with community partners to bring the Spark experience to individuals in a wide range of topic areas. A significant portion of our efforts are spent in k-12 settings and include home school cooperatives, private schools and public school districts.
We are open to explore opportunities for fostering new partnerships, if you are interested please send an email to Spark.support@unt.edu with details of what you are interested in partnering with the Spark on.
Events & Instruction Session Calendars |
---|
The Spark offers events and instructions sessions at all three locations. below is a snapshot of the session that are on the schedule at this time. If you are interested in a specific event or session click on the title to take you to a page with more details for the given event.
Discovery Park | Frisco Landing | Willis Library |
---|